He National Security Council is once again at the center of the news. The President of the Government, Pedro Sánchez, has called an extraordinary meeting of the organization for this Tuesday at the Palacio de La Moncloa, after the migration crisis registered in Ceuta in recent weeks.
The meeting takes place before the first Council of Ministers after the summer break and will focus on analyzing the situation generated in the autonomous city. Among the attendees will be responsible for different ministries and organizations related to security, defense and intelligence.
What is the National Security Council?
He National Security Council is the body in charge of assisting the president of the Government in the direction of National Security policy. Its operation is regulated by the Law 36/2015, of September 28, on National Security.
Its role is mainly to analyze threats, coordinate the different administrations and organizations involved and facilitate a joint response from the State when a situation that affects national security occurs.
This means that it does not replace the Council of Ministers nor does it itself adopt the executive decisions that correspond to the Government. Its function focuses on coordination, advice and analysis so that the different organizations involved can act under a common strategy.
What is it for?
Among its functions is establishing the necessary guidelines for plan and coordinate National Security policydirect and coordinate actions aimed at managing crisis situations and supervising the operation of the National Security System.
Its scope of action is broad. You can address issues related to terrorism, cybersecurity, national defense, border control and migratory movements, civil protection emergencies, energy security, hybrid threats or health crises.
The objective is that, in a situation that involves different areas of the stateresponsible agencies can share information, jointly assess risks and coordinate their response.
Who is part of the National Security Council?
The organism It is chaired by the President of the Government, although the King may preside over its meetings. when invited by the Chief Executive.
The vice presidencies of the Government and ministers with powers related to the matter that is going to be treated. Responsible persons such as the chief of the Defense Staff, the direction of the National Intelligence Center (CNI) or the director of the Department of National Security.
Its composition may vary, therefore, depending on the nature of the crisis that motivates the call.
When does it meet?
The Council can meet both in an ordinary and extraordinary manner. There is no fixed periodicity, since It is up to the President of the Government to decide when it should be convened based on the circumstances..
Extraordinary meetings become especially relevant when a crisis arises that requires the immediate coordination of different areas of the Administration.
That is precisely what happens with this Tuesday’s call. Sánchez has activated the organization in an extraordinary way to address the situation in Ceutawhere the migration crisis of recent weeks has forced the Executive to bring together political, military and intelligence officials.